Stress -- Or notI remember stressing out at schoolAnd making an appointment With one of the staff psychiatrists. By the time my appointment Finally came around The stress was gone And I couldn't remember What had been bothering me so much. But then it would happen again. I remember being very unhappy And not having the energy to do my work. But also feeling that Withdrawing from school Or going some place else Would be a disaster. I remember feeling very stressed And then having the stress Disappear. I felt so silly To have gotten so worked up Over nothing. Nowadays I understand. It's not "nothing". It's a no-win situation. The stress builds and builds Then vanishes When the situation resolves. So I guess A couple days ago My feelings had worked me Into a no-win situation: There was a guy I'd gotten attached to. He disappeared shortly afterwards And I stressed. When he reappeared The stress vanished And I felt silly To have stressed over his departure. After I finished school I got better at spotting No-win situations, And gained skill At weathering the storm, Or stepping away Instead of stressing out. Useful and important skills. Clearly I need to apply them Frequently and forcefully To my dealings with people. |
| 7 July 2000 Revised 4 February 2002 |
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| by Bill Cattey |